“There’s some angles you try to create both for the visual for the pitcher and also for the benefit of the umpire,” he said. “With all the talk of the framing stuff, we want to get the most strikes out of our pitchers. There’s certainly techniques to pay attention to even in side sessions and live BPs.”

For Stassi, it appears he was happy with the advice from Hinch, a former major-league catcher.

“He’s caught in the big leagues," Stassi said. "He’s been there and done that. He was just giving me a few tips. It’s just framing and the positioning of your body too. It’s just real simple, a better presentation of the pitch for your pitcher and the umpire.

Astros adding five to expanded roster

by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com

(9/2/2014)The Astros are set to call up five players to the majors to take advantage of expanded rosters, MLB.com reports Tuesday.

The team will need to clear two 40-man roster spots for the pitchers. Villar hit .200/.255/.342 with six home runs, 22 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 225 at-bats with Houston before being sent to the minors.

Max Stassi returns for Astros' final week

(9/23/2013)Astros catcher Max Stassi was activated from the 7-day concussion DL on Monday. Stassi has been out since Aug. 21, when he sustained a concussion from a hit-by-pitch.

Having appeared in only two games before getting hurt, Stassi is 2 for 6 so far this season with the Astros, and he hit .277 with 17 home runs at Double-A Corpus Christi earlier this year.

Max Stassi still attempting to return

by Al Melchior | Data Analyst

(9/15/2013)MLB.com reports Astros catcher Max Stassi has caught a bullpen session and taken batting practice this weekend, as he working towards returning to the team prior to the end of the season. Stassi has appeared in only two games with Houston this season, as he sustained a concussion on Aug. 21 when he was hit by a pitch.

Max Stassi '100 percent' over concussion

by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(9/13/2013)Astros catcher Max Stassi told the Houston Chronicle Friday that he is "100 percent" over his concussion. Stassi took batting practice Friday in an indoor cage for the first time since he suffered the concussion. He has been sidelined since Aug. 21.

"I'm feeling a lot better now," Stassi said. "I would say I'm 100 percent over everything. Nothing bothers me as far as sounds, light or nothing like that. I guess the plan today is for BP in the cage. Hopefully that goes well, which I don't foresee any setbacks, and then BP on the field tomorrow. That's what Nate (Lucero), the trainer, talked to me about."

Max Stassi transferred to 15-day disabled list

by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(9/6/2013)Astros catcher Max Stassi has been moved from the seven-day disabled list to the 15-day disabled list.

Stassi suffered a concussion in late August, and it's still unclear when he'll be able to return. Stassi has made progress in his recovery, but will need more time. He's has two hits in six at-bats this year.

Max Stassi fails balance test

by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(8/29/2013)Astros catcher Max Stassi failed his balance test Wednesday, though he has reportedly made some progress in his recovery from a concussion, the Houston Chronicle reports.

"I’m feeling a lot better,” Stassi told the Chronicle. "I got a lot of sleep while I stayed behind. I only left my hotel room a few times just to eat. The headaches have gone down a lot. I still feel it a little bit every now and then.

"But I would say my balance is the main thing today. I failed my balance test (Wednesday). That’s pretty much it really. Once I get that down things will fall into place and I’ll be back out there to do whatever I need to do to get back out on the field."

Stassi is 2 for 6 in two games with the Astros.

Max Stassi not going with team to Chicago

by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com

(8/25/2013)Astros catcher Max Stassi, who is on the 7-day disabled list for concussions, will not travel with the team to Chicago for a series against the White Sox in the upcoming week, MLB.com reports.

Stassi has continued to feel the effects of the concussion and will not be cleared to play until they completely dissipate.

Max Stassi continues to deal with concussion symptoms

by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(8/24/2013)Astros catcher Max Stassi is dealing with dizziness, sensitivity to light and headaches as he continues to deal with a concussion, MLB.com reports.

"It's going all right," Stassi told MLB.com Saturday. "I woke up this morning feeling good, but the symptoms came back a couple of hours later and just talking with the trainers here and they say you have to let it run its course. That's pretty much it, really. There's not a therapy you can do or ice it or nothing like that. You have to let it run its course and that's it."

Stassi has played just two games with the Astros, going 2 for 6.

Max Stassi placed on seven-day disabled list

by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com

(8/23/2013)Astros catcher Max Stassi has been placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list in the wake of taking a pitch off his jaw Wednesday, MLB.com reports. Stassi avoided a facial fracture according to X-rays, but it is unclear how long Stassi will be out with the injury.

Max Stassi avoids facial fracture after HBP

by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(8/22/2013)A CAT scan and X-rays have revealed that Astros catcher Max Stassi did not suffer any facial fractures after taking a deflected pitch to the face, MLB.com reports. Appearing in just his second game, Stassi was hit on the shoulder by the pitch before it struck him in the mouth.

Stassi hit .277/.333/.529 with 17 home runs and 60 RBI in 289 at-bats with Double-A Corpus Christi before his promotion to the Astros.

Max Stassi sent to hospital

by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com

(8/21/2013)Astros designated hitter Max Stassi was struck in the shoulder and face area by a pitch in the eighth inning of Wednesday's game against Texas, MLB.com reports. He was sent to the hospital for further evaluation.

Stassi was 0 for 3 in the game and the hit by pitch he took in the eighth inning came with the bases loaded and scored the game-tying run. Stassi was playing in just his second game after going 2 for 3 in his debut for the Astros. The catcher is just 22 years old.

Max Stassi has first career hit

by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com

(8/20/2013)Astros designated hitter Max Stassi, who was just called up Tuesday and making his major league debut in Texas, recorded his first career hit in the fifth inning.

Stassi lined a single to center to lead off the top of the fifth. Batting seventh for the Astros, Stassi, who was acquired from Oakland in February, was batting .277 down in the minors.

Max Stassi could provide power in the long term

by Al Melchior | Data Analyst

(8/20/2013)The Astros continued their recent string of prospect callups Tuesday when they promoted catcher Max Stassi from Double-A Corpus Christi. As a temporary backup to Jason Castro, Stassi probably won't play enough to matter outside of deeper AL-only leagues this year, but owners in long-term keeper leagues will get a sneak peek at his potential future value.

Stassi has bounced back well from a disappointing 2011 season that was cut short by shouler surgery, as he put up impressive power numbers both last year and this year. His 17 home runs in 76 games at Corpus Christi have been especially encouraging, as they suggest that the 15 homers he clouted in 2012 were not merely the product of playing in the hitter-friendly California League.

Stassi is blocked as a first-string catcher for now, but once he gets a chance at regular at-bats, he could provide J.P. Arencibia-like power, but with more walks and a higher batting average.

Max Stassi 'very deserving' of promotion

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(8/20/2013)The Astros announced Tuesday they promoted catcher Max Stassi from Double-A Corpus Christi to the major-league roster. Stassi, who will be making his MLB debut, will take the roster spot of backup catcher Carlos Corporan, who was placed on the 7-day concussion disabled list.

"Max has had a great year and is very deserving of this," general manager Jeff Luhnow said in a press release. "He has earned this and is a very big part of our future."

Report: Max Stassi on his way to the majors

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(8/20/2013)The Astros are planning to promote catcher Max Stassi from Double-A Corpus Christi in the wake of Carlos Corporan suffering a head injury Monday against the Rangers, per MLB.com. Stassi, who was acquired from Oakland in February, is batting .277 with a .529 slugging percentage, .863 OPS, 17 home runs, 20 doubles and 60 RBI in 76 games for Corpus Christi.

Max Stassi working on being 'mentally stronger'

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(7/22/2013)Astros catcher prospect Max Stassi homered for a fifth straight game Sunday for Double-A Corpus Christi. Stassi is batting .342 (13 for 38) with six home runs and 12 RBI in his last 10 games.

"I'm always constantly working on the mental game. That's the biggest thing for me," Stassi said, per MLB.com. "You look at all the guys around here at this level and above, and you see how important the mental game is. That's a big separator. Everyone has the same amount of tools around here. It's all about finding different ways to separate yourself. You can always be mentally stronger."

Max Stassi back to hitting

by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com

(3/18/2013)Astros minor-league catcher Max Stassi, who underwent sports hernia surgery at the end of February, resumed hitting on Monday, he said via his Twitter account.

Stassi hit for the first time in five weeks and considered it a success. He hopes to be recovered in time to start the minor league season, though there is no guarantee of that.

The 22-year-old had never played above Class A while in the Oakland organization. He is not considered a top prospect.

Stassi undergoes hernia surgery

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2/28/2013)The Astros announced catcher Max Stassi had successful sports hernia surgery Thursday in Philadelphia. A timetable for his return will be set in the next couple of days.

Stassi going for more tests

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2/24/2013)The Astros announced Sunday catcher Max Stassi hasn't recovered from his oblique injury, so he is going for further testing. The team thinks his injury is possibly being triggered by a sports hernia injury, so Stassi is headed to see a specialist. Stassi said he might miss the entire spring training schedule. "It's been nagging and some days it's worse than others and I'm going to get it cleared up, and if it's as mild as they think it is, I'll be ready a couple of games after opening day," Stassi said. "It's tough coming over here with the opportunity that is presented and joining a new organization. I've got to take care of my body and I've got to get ready for the regular season and go out and play hard."

Stassi sidelined by injury

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2/13/2013)Astros manager Bo Porter informed reporters Wednesday prospect Max Stassi has been diagnosed with a strained oblique and is being held out of drills. Were going to pull him back a little bit as far as his workload goes, Porter said, per MLB.com. He kind of tweaked his oblique a little bit.

Astros catch prospect Stassi

by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com

(2/4/2013)The Athletics continued to be one of the most active teams during the offseason and acquired shortstop Jed Lowrie and relief pitcher Fernando Rodriguez from the Astros on Monday in exchange for first baseman Chris Carter, catcher Max Stassi and starting pitcher Brad Peacock. Stassi recorded a .268 batting average with 15 homers and 45 RBI with Class A Stockton last season, but was limited to 84 games because of injuries. "Stassi adds some depth to that mix," general manager Jeff Luhnow said, per MLB.com. "He had a good [Arizona] Fall League and he's ready for Double-A. I don't know if he's ready for Triple-A yet, but he's healthy now. We liked him when we saw him in the Fall League. He's definitely a top catching prospect in our mind."